James 1:1-18

Scripture:

Intro: Steadfastness

STEADFASTNESS Word meaning to endure patiently. A steadfast person is one who is reliable, faithful, and true to the end

The word occurs 219 times in the ESV

It was a major theme of Paul’s writing

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Trials Produce Steadfastness vs. 1-4

James

The exact relationship of James and “the brothers of the Lord” to Jesus has been strongly debated in the ancient Church and in modern times

Mark 6:3 ESV

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

The issue resides with the term “brother”

Protestants believe he is Jesus’ 1/2 brother

Orthodox believe he was a son of Jospeh from previous marriage

Catholic’s believe he is Jesus cousin

While not a follower of Jesus during his ministry, James seems to have been converted shortly afterwards, perhaps when the risen Jesus appeared to him

James gradually took over the leadership of the Jerusalem church

His reputation was that he was tough as nails and no nonsense

He writes a letter that is very pragmatic

Some theologians don’t like it because there is not a lot of theology

So we take this very practical letter and use it as Basic Instructions before we leave Earth

James wants his readers to be steadfast

He tells us that when we meet trials that it is a test of our faith and the product is steadfastness

When we let that steadfastness take full effect we will be complete and lacking nothing

So emphasis of this verse is on the first four words

Count it all joy

The emphasis has always been that you are to be joyful in the midst of trials… and you should try

Look at what Peter says

1 Peter 1:6 ESV

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

Peter goes on to say that the testing produces faith which produces worship

The real joy should come from the fact that you will increase in faith and steadfastness

God wants you to be complete in your faith and lacking nothing

Part of that completeness is your steadfastness

Trials produce steadfastness

Which makes you more patient and reliable as a Christian

Ask for Wisdom vs. 5-8

Become steadfast in the Lord by asking for wisdom

A less arduous way of becoming steadfast is to ask God for wisdom

Wisdom can possibly prevent many of the trials you go through

Wisdom lets you make better decisions

When you make better decisions you become more reliable and steadfast

James tells us that if we lack wisdom, ask God

When we ask God he gives generously but you have to seek it

Proverbs 2:3–6 ESV

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

What types of wisdom?

Call out for insight

Lift up your voice for understanding

Insight and understanding become wisdom when we put them into action

There is a caution… doubt

Doubt prevents wisdom from engaging

How many times have you given sage advice to someone and they ignored it

Why? doubt

Doubt tosses you like a raging storm on the sea

Doubt makes us double-minded and unstable

It prevents wisdom from working and weakens our steadfastness

Doubting people aren’t patient or reliable

Danger of Chasing Riches vs. 9-11

Become steadfast in the Lord by avoiding the danger of riches

There is another trap to avoid when becoming complete in the Lord…Chasing riches

James will develop this theme further as we get into the book

He starts off by telling lowly brother to boast in his exaltation

To translate this you need to understand two things

Lowly = poor

Exaltation = being lifted up by the Lord

A poor person can boast when God lifts them up

at the same time a rich person person can boast when they are humbled by trials

Sounds like an even trade, right?

As much as it is appropriate for the lowly to rejoice when they are lifted up by God, so it is appropriate (but far more difficult) for the high (the rich) to rejoice when they are brought to humiliation by trials.

There are so many traps when we chase after riches

One of the traps is being prideful over our wealth

People think because they are wealthy they are right about everything

That’s pride that God has to deal with

When a trial bring humility, James is saying that we need to be thankful

Chasing Riches also take us away from our pursuit of God and are often temporary gains

Why? Because it is never enough

James says chasing riches are like a flower that fades under the noon sun

Rich men often fade away in the midst of their pursuit

We need to look at wealth as a gift from God and we need to be good stewards of those riches

Steadfastness in Temptation vs. 12-15

Steadfastness in temptation brings blessings

Why do we want to work on being steadfast?

It brings blessing

That word blessing can be translated happiness

Here it is a little more

Blessing means fortunate because of circumstances and possessing the favor of God

It also promises the crown of life

That make sense because when we remain steadfast in the face of temptation there is blessing

The CEO from Astronomer who got caught snuggling with this HR director at the Coldplay concert wishes he were more steadfast in the face of temptation

Everyone is tempted

Steadfastness is what helps us endure it

Hebrews 10:36 ESV

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Every Good Gift from Above vs. 16-18

Steadfastness is one of the many gifts God gives us